Page 69 of Saddled in Secrets
She giggles and bites her nail. “Is it something I said?”
“Are you actually giving me a chance or is this just about sex?”
“Both?” When I scowl, she whines and thumps her head against the seat. “Excuse me for being horny. I’m in a constant state of arousal just thinking about you splitting me in half with that monster in your pants. The anticipation is edging me to the brink. I’m tempted to climb onto your lap right now and scratch the itch.” She pauses for a breath, inhaling deep. “But you’re worthy of much more than a quick fuck. All those considerate gestures? Porn for my heart. You’ve managed to turn me on emotionally. I didn’t even know that was a thing until you waltzed in and romanced me. The thought you put into every detail is very attractive. Am I making sense?”
An unfamiliar sense of calm settles over me. Is this peace? Whatever it is comprehends her meaning and fills me with comfort. I think she’s going to choose me. Willingly.
Fuck, now my pulse is galloping in the opposite direction of tranquility.
Bianca clears her throat. “So, yeahhhh. I’m not planning to use you for your pierced penis.”
Sweat slicks my palms and I can’t get a grip on the wheel. “What are you planning?”
“I’m considering what our future might hold.” Her body turns to face me. “I’ll agree to date you on a trial period.”
Which is more than I deserve, but less than the end goal. We’ll get there. It’s a big step for her.
“You’ve never dated anyone before. At least not seriously,” I rasp.
“Ohhhhh, look who wants to rehash the past. Are we trading secrets?”
“Eventually,” I mutter.
Her head bobs. “That’s first date material. Gonna take me to dinner at Dirty Dicks?”
“We can do better than that.” My mind whirls with possibilities as the road stretches on. “Does this mean you forgive me?”
She snorts. “For what?”
As if I’m going to list off my crimes against her. “The wrong things.”
“Mostly. I’m still pissed you stole my phone.”
“Brody told—”
In a freakishly fast motion, Bianca reaches over to smush a finger against my lips. “We’ve already been over this. Remember when I called you a twat waffle and swore to never speak to you again? Pretty sure you don’t need a repeat, but I’ll say it again. I don’t care that my brother told you to do it. You’re allowed to say no. There’s always a choice. Put me first.”
My gulp is thick with guilt. “I do.”
The flint in her stare calls me a liar. “What if he asks you to do something like that again?”
This is a hard limit for her. It’s not negotiable. If I want her to choose me, I need to do the same.
“I won’t do it.”
She studies me closely. “Even if it costs you the job?”
“I can always get another one of those. There’s only one of you.”
Her posture relaxes. “Really good answer.”
“Even if Brody hates me for defying him, I won’t betray you again. Unless your safety is at risk. You have my word, Princess.”
Bianca’s brother might’ve saved my life, but that life isn’t worth living if she’s not at my side.
“And you have my permission to protect me by any means necessary. I might even let you tie me up.” She winks.
“Fuck,” I grunt and push Fern for more speed.
